HIGH-RESOLUTION MAGNETIC FORCE MICROSCOPE IMAGES OF A MAGNETIC PARTICLE CHAIN EXTRACTED FROM MAGNETIC BACTERIA AMB-1

Bacterial magnetic particles were observed by an atomic force microsco pe (AFM) and a magnetic force microscope (MFM). The chain of magnetic particles was extracted from the bacteria with little disturbance to t heir alignment by a new preparation method. Magnetic bacteria cells we re broken using an NaOH/ethanol solution. Cell debris was washed away in order to leave the magnetic particle chains, which were held on the glass surface by a magnet. In both AFM and MFM images, individual mag netic particles could be clearly observed. The MFM image showed that t he particles aligned their magnetized axes along the chain.